Roberto Carlos vs Nuno Mendes
Brazil against Portugal. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Roberto Carlos
Brazil · 1997–2002 · LB
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Brazil
- #17 of 33
- Caps
- 125 · 10 goals
- Clubs
- Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Fenerbahçe Istanbul
Lyon, 3 June 1997: Deschamps fouled Romário 35 metres out, and the left back struck a free kick so far off line that Barthez never moved, before it bent back, clipped the post and went in. He won the 2002 World Cup, Copa América in 1997 and 1999, three European Cups with Real Madrid between 1998 and 2002, four Spanish titles, and finished as Ballon d'Or runner-up in 2002 with 125 caps for Brazil. Career record: 125 caps and 10 goals for Brazil; club career at Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Fenerbahçe Istanbul.
Nuno Mendes
Portugal · 2020–26 · LB
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Portugal
- #11 of 33
Portugal leaned on him in the Munich final of the 2025 Nations League: he scored the equaliser against Spain, stayed with Lamine Yamal down that flank all night, and buried his kick in the shootout. That Nations League title sits beside back to back Champions League wins with Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 and 2026, five Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France, and the Primeira Liga he won as a teenager at Sporting.
The verdict
The almanac puts Roberto Carlos ahead by 2 rating points, 92 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.